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Notes

A704

Original

w15.2 x h17.7

$99

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A704a

Oversize

w21.5 x h25.0

$165

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This delightfully simple survey of the
harbour of Khor Fakkan, 'Khor Fakan', was completed between 1858 & 1860 by
Commander (later, Captain) Charles Golding Constable - second son of the
respected British landscape artist, John Constable. It was produced as
part of a larger and on-going survey at the behest of the Honourable East India
Company (HEIC) which controlled British trade interests in the Gulf region.

Khor Fakkan is on the east coast of the
Emirates, between the Sultanate of Oman and Musandam. The name Khor Fakkan,
‘Creek of Two Jaws’ is a clear reference to the geography of the coast. Constable's
chart shows the village of Khor Fakan and, to the north, the headland of Ras
Luliyeh and the village of Zubara or 'Zabareh'.

To the south west of the village Constable
has noted two ‘Towers’. Whether they were both towers is questionable. In 1620,
and on this site, the Portuguese built the fort of Corfacão. The fort consisted
of a triangular bastion and a round tower in the centre. A Portuguese map from
this time suggests that the second tower may well have been the remnants of the
highest defence level of a three-tier gatehouse. Faint, but just
distinguishable, are trees, cliffs, sandy beaches and highlands. Soundings (water
depths) leading into the natural harbour and also towards an island (now known
as Shark Island) are evident; as are two points of anchorage. Beneath the title
there is a note stating that the village has 'good water' and 'sheep & ca
procurable’ (‘ca’ meaning ‘etc.’ or ‘and so on’): just the sort of information
British naval captains and surveyors were required to supply.

Today the town of Khor Fakkan is a tourist
location noted for its beach and water sports, with a major hotel resort located
to the north of the town.To the south
of the town the deep-water port supports a major container ship terminal.